Back to school in SW:

New MINESEC Delegate promises hard times for absentee teachers

By Boris Esono in Buea

SW MINESEC Delegate, Apah Johnson Itor

The 2016/2017 academic year has taken off smoothly in the South West Region with a heavy attendance of students. The observation was made by the SW Regional Delegate of Secondary Education, ApahItor Johnson, during a one-on-one with this reporter, on Wednesday 7 September 2016, at his office in Buea.

                “The new academic year promises to be a year of even greater achievements given that it has started on a good footing, with an observed increase in school attendance and the enthusiasm of both the teaching and non-teaching staff to do their work,” said Apah Johnson, who noted that the first day of the school year was marked by at least 80% attendance of students and teachers.

                On the issue of illegal institutions that were closed down by the MINESEC, the regional delegate made it clear that the minister’s decision has been very effective in the SWR.

                “There is no need coming back on the minister’s decision closing down the schools as we have implemented it to the letter throughout the region,” he said.

                The regional delegate also fired a message at teachers who do not go to class but who continue receiving their salaries.

                “It is our duty to make sure teachers are effectively present in class. I should make it clear here that any defaulters will henceforth have themselves to blame,” Mr. Apah said.

                It should be recalled that just before the start of the new academic year, a sector conference was held on the 30th of August 2016 during which the regional delegate handed down to school administrators the minister’s instructions on how they should proceed with activities during the school year.

                During the meeting it was made clear that all government schools should have at most sixty (60) students per class for forms one and eighty (80) students per class for the other forms. The officials were also called upon to respect strictly the academic calendar instituted by government.

                Mr. Apah Johnson also exhorted school administrators to be of exemplary behavior and to exercise discipline in the discharge of their duties. He emphasized for instance that disrespect for hierarchy will not be tolerated.